Cycle B 4th Sunday Lent

Fourth Sunday of Lent [CYCLE B]

MAIN MESSAGE

[This is for reference only. Please do not read it at Mass] During the past three Sundays of Lent we have drawn the children’s attention to the call to repentance, to listening to God’s Word, and to prayer. We now remind them of the importance of ‘almsgiving.’ The key words of today’s message come from the Gospel: ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.’ In the homily, we tell the ‘greatest story ever told’, the story of God’s love in saving the world. In response to this wonderful story, we too try to give freely to others and to do it out of love. This giving could take the form of material things or our time and energy. The suggestions on the Lenten Calendar would help them to make a good start.

INTRODUCTION: Celebrant: •

•

Children, is it easy to give something precious to someone else? Suppose you had a cute little kitten whom you loved very much, would you find it easy to give away?... Maybe you would be ready to give it to someone you like very much, like your best friend. Today we are going to hear something about giving, and about someone who gave something very precious.

LITURGY OF THE WORD: Commentator: Listen to the reading. Saint Paul tells us that we were all dead at one time, though we looked alive. Then God decided to save us. First Reading: Ephesians 2:4-10. Psalm: 25:4-5abc, 6&7cd.

Commentator: This Gospel is very short, but very special, so listen carefully. Gospel: John 3:16-17. Homily: Celebrant: Today I’m going to tell you the greatest story ever told. Of course, I am not the greatest storyteller, but the story is the greatest story the world has ever heard. It is true and it is so wonderful that some people don’t believe it could be true. Long, long, long ago God’s heart was so full of love that he decided to make someone to share his love with, someone who would also be able to love him back. And so he got ready. First he made the world with mountains, rivers, seas, lakes…He made the sun, the moon and the stars. He filled the world with trees and grass, flowers and insects, fish and birds and animals. And finally, he made humans: men and women and children. Into each one he put a little bit of himself, and so they became his children. He loved each one as if he or she was the only one in the world. God gave his children the beautiful world he had made… and he had an even better surprise waiting for them. After they died, he would take them to live with him forever! But the people whom God made turned away from him. (This is the sad part of the story.) They said, “We don’t want to be God’s children. We don’t trust him. We won’t obey him.” They stopped loving God and became his enemies. They tried to hide away from him (but of course, no one can hide from God!). It was as if they cut the wire connection them to God, and a light went out in their hearts. When God looked down on the earth, he saw people walking about, talking, eating, sleeping… But there was something wrong. There was no light in their hearts, no love. They were like dead people. There was no way he could take them to heaven, because they had become his enemies. So what did God do? Did he say, “Forget these bad people! Let them die!”? Remember, God loved his children. So he said, “There is only one thing to do. I will have to send my Son to die for them and take their punishment.” (Who was his Son? Jesus, who lived in heaven with him.) And Jesus said, “Yes, Father, I’m ready. I’ll go!” So Jesus came. First he lived inside Mary for 9 months. Then he was born in a cow-shed. He grew up, bigger and bigger, like any one of you. When he was 30 years old, he began his work. He told people about God, who loved them so much. He asked them to turn back to him. Finally the people whipped him, made him carry a heavy cross up a hill. Then they nailed him to the cross and left him hanging there till he died. Is this the end of the story? No! It has a happy ending! Three days after God’s Son was killed, he came to life again! And he shared his new life with all human beings. Many people turned back to God and began to love him. The light came on in their hearts again, and God was able to take them to heaven. Close your eyes for a minute. Think of God’s wonderful love… God wants you to be just like him, because you are his child. He wants you to give to others, just as he gave his Son to us… Tell him, “God I will try to be like you… I will try to give to others lovingly; just as you gave Jesus to me.” • Open your eyes. Will you really try to be like God? During this time of Lent God reminds us to give to others, especially to those who don’t have as much as we have. This is called almsgiving • Some people give away some of their clothes. Some give food to poor families. What can you give? If you keep listening to God, you will hear him telling you. He may ask you to smile at someone, or give a ‘pao’ to a poor child. He may ask you to give a school bag to a classmate whose bag is torn, or to give some of your time to help your aunty. Your Lenten Calendar will give you some ideas to get started. •

APPROPRIATE HYMNS ENTRANCE: We’ve Got a Great Big Wonderful God OFFERTORY: Do You Want My Hands, Lord? COMMUNION: Thank You Jesus.. for Loving Me RECESSIONAL: Love It Was OR Give, Give, Give

PREPARATION REQUIRED: • Practice the readings. • Make posters and put up.

FIR ST REA DING :

A reading from the letter of St.Paul to the Ephesians.

Brothers and sisters: God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God’s kindness is what saves you. God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven above. God did this so that in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done. You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can boast about. God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That’s why he sent Christ to make us what we are. This is the Word of the Lord.

PSALM :

Response: Show me your paths and teach me to follow; guide me by your truth and instruct me. You keep me safe.

ACCLA MA TION :

GOSPEL :

Remember your m

ercies, O

Lord.

Please, Lord, remember, you have always been patient and kind. Show how truly kind you are and remember me.

Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. God loved the world so much, that he gave his only Son, that all who believe in him might have eternal life. Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John.

Jesus told Nicodemus: “God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never die. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!” This is the Gospel of the Lord. NB. All readings are taken from the ‘Lectionary for Masses with Children’ canonically approved for use in the USA.